Memory & Desire

{{Infobox film

| name = Memory & Desire

| image = Memory & Desire DVD cover.jpg

| alt =

| caption = U.S. distribution DVD cover

| director = Niki Caro

| screenplay = Niki Caro

| based_on = {{Based on|"Of Memory and Desire"|Peter Wells}}

| producer = Owen Hughes

| starring = {{Plainlist|

Yuri Kinugawa
Eugene Nomura

}}

| cinematography = Dion Beebe

| editing = Margot Francis

| music = Peter Scholes

| studio = Frame Up Films

| distributor = Footprint Films

| released = {{Film date|df=y|1998|6|24}}

| runtime = 89 minutes

| country = New Zealand

| language = {{Plainlist|

English
Japanese

}}

| budget =

| gross =

}}

Memory & Desire is a 1998 New Zealand romantic drama film written and directed by Niki Caro,{{cite web |title=Memory & Desire - Film |url=https://www.parkcircus.com/film/117041-Memory-%26-Desire |website=Park Circus |access-date=20 March 2022}} in her feature film directorial debut. The film is based on the 1997 short story "Of Memory and Desire" by Peter Wells.{{cite web |last1=Elley |first1=Derek |title=Memory & Desire |url=https://variety.com/1998/film/reviews/memory-desire-1117477545/ |website=Variety |date=20 May 1998 |access-date=20 March 2022}}{{cite web |title=Memory and Desire |url=https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/memory-and-desire-1998 |website=NZ on Screen |access-date=20 March 2022}}

Plot

Sayo and Keiji are a Japanese couple who elope to New Zealand to get married. On their honeymoon, frustrated by being unable to consummate their marriage, Keiji fatally drowns in a swimming accident. Heartbroken after losing her husband, Sayo contemplates traveling back to Japan to once again live with her domineering mother, per Japanese tradition. Instead, she stays in New Zealand on the beach where Keiji drowned to find peace.

Cast

Yuri Kinugawa as Sayo
Eugene Nomura as Keiji
Yoko Narahashi as Mrs. Nakajima
Joel Tobeck as Nod
Rome Kanda as Tour Guide

Production

The film was shot in New Zealand, at Studio West in West Auckland.{{cite web|url=https://www.studiowest.co.nz/our-story |title=Our Story |publisher=Studio West |access-date=29 April 2023}}